How safe are Wrecsam's coal tips?

 

Four Category C tips highlighted in blue

Plaid MS seeks assurances from Welsh Government

Concerns about coal tip safety in the Wrecsam area have spurred Plaid Cymru’s Llyr Gruffydd to seek assurances from the Welsh Government.

Mr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales in the Senedd, said recent coal tip slippages in Blaenau Gwent had raised awareness of the dangers if the tips were not monitored regularly.

The legacy of the coal industry in the North-east of Wales has resulted in hundreds of coal tips. Of these, there are four designated as Category C and therefore requiring annual inspections because it has  'the potential to impact public safety'. These are the tips for the former collieries at Llay Main, Llay Hall, Gresford and Bersham.

He also criticised the £25m promised by the UK government for coal tip safety, following Sunday's landslip at Cwmtillery. Estimates he said suggested it could cost £600m over 10 to 15 years.

Mr Gruffydd said: “The recent floods and bad weather has focussed attention quite rightly on the need to make tips across Wales safely and urgently. That focus has so far been in the Valleys but we need to remember that there are four Category C tips in the Wrecsam area. These have the potential to impact on public safety so it’s imperative that they are inspected and checked for their safety. The Cwm Tillery tip was a Category D tip and had recently been inspected so we cannot afford to be complacent.

“But we also need to look at a long-term plan to deal with the remaining tips. The Labour Government in London has only provided £25m towards the estimated £600m cost of making all tips in Wales safe. That’s frankly pathetic and means many communities will have to live in the shadow of these tips for years to come.

“The First Minister’s response to the news was equally pathetic – saying ‘There will be limits of being able to absorb additional money, because there will be limits in terms of expertise [and] equipment. If they gave us the money, it would be very difficult to use it all up because of the lack of expertise that we need to build up.’

"I’m afraid this shows a deeply worrying lack of urgency by a First Minister who doesn’t understand the concerns many communities have. I’m seeking assurances that the coal tips in the North are not ignored in any review going forward.”